Beautiful and magical, the both the Aurora Borealis (Northern) and the Aurora Australis

Aurora australis image by Samuel Blanc.

Where can you see the lights of the aurora?  How can you plan to take an image?

The first place you would want to star is here, at Space Weather.  You can see how the local weather caused by the Sun is going to affect the Earth’s atmosphere and when it is going to send enough charged particles at us to light up the day and night.

I live pretty far south in Pasadena, but about three time a year on average, the Northern lights are visible this far south.  Granted you have to go to a dark sky sight, but it can still be done.

For the more adventurous, you can book a trip with my friend Dennis Mammana on one of his many journeys up to the Northern climes to photograph the aurora.  Dennis just finished up his Alaskan aurora trip but has four more planned this year.  If you would like to join Dennis an learn how to photograph aurora from him, you can book your trip here.  If you are planning on going solo, Dennis has a lot of good information on how to capture your own Northern lights image here.

You can also sign up for alerts from spaceweather.com for when there is a possibility of the Northern lights being visible in your area.

– Ex astris, scientia –

I am and avid amateur astronomer and intellectual property attorney in Pasadena, California and I am a Rising Star as rated by Super Lawyers Magazine.  As a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, I am a proud member of the Armed Service Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association working to aid all active duty and veterans in our communities. Connect with me on Google +

Norman